Quality of Life in Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Soubory tohoto záznamu

Zdrojový dokument:5th International Conference Quality and Its Perspectives

Název akce5th International Conference Quality and Its Perspectives, with the subtitle: Multidisciplinary Approach to Patient Care (April 18, 2018)

Abstrakt:

Introduction: When a child with disability, especially with cerebral palsy, is born into a family,
there is a significant burden on the parents that directly impacts their quality of life. We believe the
quality of life of a family with a child with cerebral palsy deserves research attention.
Aim: Therefore, in 2018 we carried out research aimed at examining the quality of life in parents of
children with cerebral palsy.
Method: The research used a validated tool of a quantitative research strategy – a standardized QOL
questionnaire, Family Quality of Life Scale – known as “FQOL”. The research sample consisted of
parents with children with cerebral palsy. The total size of the sample was 98 respondents, 12
fathers (12.2%) and 86 mothers (87.8%).
Results: Average score by the respondents reached 94.0918 points, indicating higher quality of life
in respondents than presumed. Further investigation revealed lower quality of life of respondents in
five statements (items 3, 9, 13, 15). The research further examined statistically significant
differences in quality of life in respondents depending on the researched socio-demographic
indicators. Age-related statistically significant differences in quality of life were confirmed for the
researched categories (t = -2.341, p = 0.021), family status (F = 3.476, p = 0.019) and region (χ2 =
15.39, p =0 .031). Statistically significant correlation was identified between quality of life in
respondents and the age of their child with cerebral palsy (0.288, p = 0.004).
Conclusion: In spite of a relatively high score pointing at a higher level of experienced quality of
life of the respondents, the research pointed to two areas of life where the parents of children with
cerebral palsy experienced a lower level of quality of life, area of support and leisure-time activities
of the parents.